A Brazen Lady And The Shunned Duke (Faces of Love Series #3) by Jessie Bennett

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    I sat quietly sipping my soup, unsure of my new situation. It was the first night in the home of my oldest brother, the Duke of Bellingham, and his wife. He was more than fifteen years my senior in life. Not only was he much older than myself, but he was also a product of my mother’s first marriage, when she had been Lady Bellingham. Her first husband died shortly after the birth of my second and beloved brother Henry Fitzwilliam. Soon my mother remarried to my father. He wasn’t titled, but he was a prominent merchant and highly respected by the community.
    As much as my mother loved my father, she had been raised a lady of the ton. I, on the other hand, was without title. This had never sat well with her. I had been privileged to attend several seasons in London and had made the acquaintance of several members of peerage, but Mother would never be settled until I married into a title too. In her mind, it was the birthright I was denied simply because women were unable to pass along their titles.
    Therefore, in her efforts to rectify the situation, she sent me to live with my eldest brother. She hoped that his association and connections would find me a suitable match. I had a feeling that the hefty dowry that went along with me was also an enticing attachment.
    I had no desire to marry someone for their title. It meant nothing to me. I certainly didn’t want someone marrying me for my money. Apparently, I had very little say in the matter, as I was shipped off to live the season in my brother’s townhouse.
    I had spent very few holidays with him over my lifetime. I looked him over as I continued to pick at my food. He was in his late thirties and already starting to grey at his temples, though the rest of his hair was richly black like mine. In a lot of ways, we looked very similar for half siblings. We both had ebony hair, fair skin, and blue eyes.
    His personality, on the other hand, couldn’t be farther from mine. He was always so starch and serious. I don’t think I had ever actually seen him smile. Granted, by the time I knew him he had lost his father, his mother had remarried, and he was left the duke of a vast estate. I’m sure that was something that would certainly sober even the jolliest of persons.
    I was carefree and, in many opinions, wild. I didn’t care, though. I didn’t have the ton looking down on me and expecting me to behave a certain way. I wasn’t entirely sure that I even wanted to snag myself a duke, as my mother so often put it. I would rather enjoy the freedom that came with being a commoner.
    “So, Scarlett, tell me how your ride into town was,” my sister-in-law said to break the silence.
    “It was fine enough, Your Grace. I can’t say many eventful things happen when you are riding alone in a carriage.”
    The Duchess of Bellingham was a beautiful woman. She was also just as quiet and reserved as my brother. She certainly did act the way I thought a duchess should. What I liked most about her was her rounded face, almost childlike, with soft dimples in her cheeks. I am sure they were quite prominent if she ever happened to smile.
    “The duke here tells me you are planning to spend the whole season with us,” she continued conversationally.
    “Yes. I think my mother was hoping that I might make connections.”
    She nodded thoughtfully. “Your mother was a daughter of a marquis and then married to a duke, so I can understand why she would want to immerse you in the peerage. Are you quite sure you will comfortable in such situations?” the duchess asked.
    “I’m not entirely sure of your meaning, Your Grace.”
    The duchess looked over at her husband with worried eyes and then back at me, like you would a child you pitied. I was suddenly liking her a little less already.
    “I would just hate if you embarrassed yourself at a social function. I wanted to offer my services to you, to help you.”
    “That is very kind of you, darling,” my brother chimed in